Week 8 Staff Predictions: Dallas Cowboys host Philadelphia Eagles

The Dallas Cowboys will host the Philadelphia Eagles in a major NFC East matchup on Sunday Night Football. Cowboys Blitz writers share their predictions for this highly anticipated rivalry that could determine first place in the division.

Philadelphia Eagles (4-2) at Dallas Cowboys (5-1)

Sunday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m. CST

AT&T Stadium, Arlington Texas

TV: NBC

Jonah: The key to this game will be the turnover battle. If Dak Prescott takes care of the football, unlike Sam Bradford in their loss to the Eagles last week, the Cowboys are going to win this game. I’m not scared by Philadelphia’s offense, as I think they are one of the more lackluster groups this team has faced all season, but the Cowboys must be aware of their prowess to take the ball away on defense and score points on special teams. I have a feeling this could be Prescott’s “rookie wall” game, but I also have reason to believe this offense is once again carried by Ezekiel Elliott’s success with the absence of Bennie Logan. As long as the Cowboys win the turnover battle and limit the number of big plays for Philadelphia’s spectacular special teams unit, they will win this game handily. Cowboys 24, Eagles 13

Cami: This is the toughest matchup for me to predict yet, as I honestly think it could go either way. The Philadelphia Eagles are a well-coached football team, but the Cowboys have passed just about every test they’ve been given. The home team has recently been on the losing side of this matchup, but I don’t see a team being able to slow down Ezekiel Elliott any time soon. On the opposite side of the ball, the player i’m surprisingly worried about limiting is speedy running back Darren Sproles so i’m interested to see how Philadelphia uses him on Sunday night. Rookie Dak Prescott may have trouble in the air, but overall I believe Dallas will dominate the time of possession on the ground. This under-the-radar secondary for the Cowboys will come up with a huge takeaway late in the 4th quarter to seal the game. Cowboys 21, Eagles 17

Bobby: Bennie Logan missing this game is absolutely huge for Dallas. We saw how much Dallas struggled against the Giants’ interior defensive line in the opening week, therefore Logan could have presented similar challenges for the Cowboys. I think with Logan out Ezekiel Elliott will see a lot of eight man fronts. With Dez Bryant returning to the lineup, he should get plenty of single-coverage looks. Rookie Dak Prescott continues to grow each week, I expect them to take advantage of Dez’s matchup and have a big day together. Cowboys 27, Eagles 17

Laurie: A familiar opponent with an unfamiliar face under center, it will be fascinating to see what disguised looks Rod Marinelli throws at Carson Wentz, who has stood tall against the blitz through his first six games. With Orlando Scandrick returning in some capacity, it won’t be surprising to see plenty of dime packages make the passing lanes very busy for a rookie quarterback who enters the danger zone the longer he holds the ball. As my fellow Blitzers have noted, the loss of Bennie Logan stands out as the Cowboys line attempts to dominate the point of attack and continue to open creases for Ezekiel Elliott to roll through. The Eagles outside pass rush isn’t to be tossed aside lightly though, and if Tyron Smith Doug Free and the run game can keep them at bay, it should provide familiar opportunity for a certain returning X-Receiver to make his mark. Cowboys 24, Eagles 16